On Becoming a Painter [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Senator John W. Warner (Foreword), Steve Vickery (Designer, Editor) "How does a person become a painter-a real painter like those whose works hang in museums and the best galleries and whose work has withstood..." (more)
Key Phrases: Old Masters, Art Students League, John Singer Sargent (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...More than one hundred illustrations provide abundant guidance and inspiration making Johnson's book a valuable studio companion." -- American Artist Magazine,Feb.2002

"...No matter what level of skill you now possess as a painter, Johnson's book will teach you greater creativity." -- Foreword by Senator Warner

"More than one hundred illustrations provide abundant guidance and inspiration making Johnson's book a valuable studio companion." -- American Artist Mag. Feb. 2002

Cover Story. Entire chapter reproduced with images -- Southwest Art Magazine, Dec., 2001

Cover story and entire chapter reproduced verbatim in Southwest Art magazine. -- Southwest Art Mag. Dec. 2001

Product Description

The paintings of Robert Johnson evoke a newfound appreciation for the elegance and power of works done in the classical tradition. The principles underlying this approach to art have been passed along for the last five centuries from master to apprentice, from teacher to student, and from painter to painter.

In "On Becoming a Painter" Robert Johnson answers some of the most persistant questions in the minds of aspiring artists, including "What in fact is color harmony, and how can I achieve it?" and "How can I capture the 'Old Master' brushwork quality I admire in museums in my own paintings?"

"On Becomong a Painter" includes an extensive exploration of drawing as the foundation of good painting, with numerous illustrations that show how good draftsmanship can make paintings come alive.

Robert Johnson writes with human understanding and acute awareness of the attitudes which can propel an artists' work forward or hold it back. It includes the chapter "Changing Your Life," which is directed at painters who wish to seriously consider becoming full-time artists.

Lavishly illustrated with over 100 full-color plates, "On Becoming a Painter" is an essential book not only for the up-and-coming artist, but also for the collector, the connoisseur,and the art lover-in short, for anyone who cares about good painting.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 221 pages
• Publisher: Sunflower Publishing, LLC; 1st edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970949103
• ISBN-13: 978-0970949103
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #761,308 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! A great addition to your working library., October 5, 2003

By A Customer

I was curious about this book for quite a while before purchasing a copy. I finally decided to just go ahead and buy it, thinking if I didn't like it I would send it back. I was surprised how much I liked it; in fact, this book is fabulous!

As previously stated in another review, this book is not for beginners. It isn't a "how to" with step-by-step demonstrations, nor does it tell you which brand of paint to use (though some are listed) or which brush manufacturer is best. What this book does do is elucidate the finer points of painting, and by doing so, helps us understand why some paintings rise to the level of fine art, while others just seem to remain `paintings". I am all too familiar with producing "paintings".

Visually, this book is beautiful. The illustrations are exquisite with some covering two pages, and details of other paintings that show the paint application in a way most books never do. These illustrations are highly instructive themselves, even if you didn't read the text (which would be a shame).

Robert Johnson has his own style, yet you can clearly see the influences of others. He has learned from some of the best and that foundation has allowed him to incorporate their teachings while still growing as an artist to produce his own work. I believe this is as it should be. The skill of an artist is making it look easy and not labored. Johnson's work has a fluidity and ease that only comes from years of painting and an increasing understanding of what makes a painting great.

You can see more of his work at his web site http://robertjohnsonart.com. You don't have to want to paint exactly like him to benefit from this book, you just have to read what he has to say and understand it as well as you can within the context of your current artistic development - that's what I'm doing. I know this is a book that you can and should read over and over; each time you do, you will gain more insight to what Johnson has to say. Highly recommended! The table of contents follows:

Foreword by Senator John W. Warner
Chapter 1: On Becoming A Painter
Chapter 2: Color and Composition
Chapter 3: Value
Chapter 4: Edges
Chapter 5: Drawing
Chapter 6: Brushwork
Chapter 7: Materials
Chapter 8: A Painters Life
Chapter 9: On Seeing
Chapter 10: Changing Your Life

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a book, what an artist, May 9, 2003

By	Rebecca Bishop (New Alexandria, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This book will make you remember why you wanted to begin painting. It's beautifully written, with words that uplifting and inspiring. It has instruction that would be considered the nuts and bolts of a good painting, though you won't get real step by step how-to's. He paints beautifully and in the truest sense, you feel that you are witnessing a true artist and teacher and that this can't help but inspire you to greater and more rewarding work. This is NOT for beginners by any means. I was slightly disappointed that there were not real hands on exercises on anything, rather more like discussions of what is right or wrong in a painting or method. All in all, an incredible book by a very talented and gifted man. It will make you feel like you are being transported to the threshold of the old masters's world.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise description, November 4, 2004

By	Brad Teare (Providence, Utah, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This well written and beautifully illustrated volume is both practical and inspiring, without being pretentious like many books professing to reveal the mysteries of painting. If an aspect of painting remains a mystery Johnson doesn't gloss over the fact, but encourages working with paint to understand the ineffable. Plenty of large color reproductions, including full bleed spreads of Johnson's opulent brush strokes (which is an education in itself).